Managing unauthorised absence

If you are ever concerned about an employee’s immediate welfare because they are absent and uncontactable, you must contact HR Services immediately for advice. Do not take any other action until you have spoken with HR.

If a colleague has not followed the appropriate sickness reporting procedure or has failed to provide a further fit note, try to contact them by phone or email first. If you reach them, explain that their absence will be considered unpaid unless they follow the correct reporting procedure or provide relevant fit notes. After your conversation, confirm everything in writing and remind them to provide any outstanding fit notes without delay.

If you do not receive a response within a reasonable amount of time, contact HR Services for support. With HR's guidance, you may notify Payroll to stop the employee’s salary. At this point, a formal letter will be sent to the employee stating the following:

• Their absence is now being treated as unauthorised.
• The date their pay was stopped.
• Failure to make contact may lead to disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal.